DIENG | TRAINING WILL BE DIFFERENT NOW

Bantams midfielder Timothee Dieng expects the intensity in training this coming week to be stepped up even further as players battle for a place in City's season opener.

For the first time realistically since City's return to training at the end of June, Stuart McCall's squad will now be fighting for starting berths from Monday onwards.

With the Bantams set to entertain Blackpool at the Northern Commercials Stadium next weekend in their opening league game of the new season, McCall is likely to spend the next few days looking for his players to stake a claim.

Dieng, who made his return from injury in Saturday's 3-0 friendly win at FC Halifax Town, believes everyone will be out to make an impression on the manager on the training pitch.

He said: "The tempo will be a little bit higher, everyone wants to start the game on Saturday (vs Blackpool).

"There will be a different mindset perhaps.

"If Romain (Vincelot) plays in defence, there will be one place left in midfield from last season.

"I will be working very hard to be that new player in midfield. I have been training every day since (last) Tuesday and my fitness levels are getting back.

"I'm looking forward to next week."

Dieng featured in the first half at Halifax's MBi Shay Stadium after two weeks out with a calf injury.

The Halifax game was the Frenchman's first involvement in a City pre-season fixture since the TV Echterdingen match in Germany.

Dieng added: "It felt good to be back on the pitch.

"The first twenty minutes or so were difficult to settle back in but I feel good now physically.

"It was good to be back on the pitch with the lads and playing football.

"It was frustrating to miss the last couple of weeks, especially to miss the two big games (against Sunderland and Newcastle United).

"It is always good to test yourselves against these big players.

"It was frustrating as well to miss the games because of fitness but I am working hard in training now to catch up."